clicker training

Clicker training is a fun and simple method to train your dog anything from basic obedience to complex behaviour chains like filling the tumble dryer or fetching you a drink from the fridge. Clicker training allows dogs to use their brains to troubleshoot and problem solve. When you are using force-free methods, all training is trick training in a dog’s eyes. Whether you are teaching your dog to sit, down or jump through your arms, it’s a fun learning experience that burns a lot of mental energy and it builds your relationship.

A clicker is a small (usually plastic) box that fits into your hand and has a button or metal plate that is depressed to create a “click” sound. The click marks the behaviour that you want to capture from the dog. It’s essentially a way to tell your dog, “Yes! That’s what I wanted you to do!” while giving you time to deliver a reward.

There is nothing “special” about the click sound; it is merely a neutral tone. The magic happens when this tone is paired with a positive experience, such as eating a tasty treat or tugging a favourite toy.

The basic concept for teaching any behaviour is exactly the same:
*Dog performs behaviour > click > reward the behaviour*

It’s really that simple!

If you want to enrich your dog’s life, promote mental stimulation, encourage problem solving and create an unbreakable bond with your dog, start clicker training now! There are 100s of videos online to get you started. Here are a few of our favourite tricks:

• Mirroring: https://youtu.be/DRlOf9nYjKs
• Bow: https://youtu.be/pT7-CHam2HU
• Cover nose: https://youtu.be/SrlwJRQlppY
• Cross paws: https://youtu.be/aLqmmn7iBVo
• Cardboard box: https://youtu.be/CNUOUmb4WNI

Troubleshooting
Although the concept is simple, you can achieve more successful training sessions by following a few rules:

1. Remove distractions so that your dog can focus on you.
2. Reduce the criteria of the behaviour into achievable steps.
   
3. Use small pieces of food so that your dog does not get too full too quickly.
4. Treats must be easily eaten or too much time passes between repetitions and your dog will lose focus.
5. Mark the behaviour (i.e. click) at the correct time (i.e. immediately as it happens).
6. Train one dog at a time.
7. Food must be small and easily chewed and swallowed.
8. Keep sessions short and fun. Ten minutes at a time is plenty.
9. If you run out of food rewards, use praise, affection, toys or play as a reword.
10. End your session when the dog has had a “lightbulb” moment so that the feeling of success lingers. If she is struggling with the exercise, go back a step to to something achievable and end it there.
11. End sessions with a cue such as “All done” so that your dog knows the session is over. Do not give more treats after giving this signal.